Unofficial news and tips about Google

August 27, 2010

Don't Click this Button in Google Voice!

Warning: This tip is only for Gmail users outside US.

Google says that the latest Gmail feature that allows you to make phone calls is only available in the US, but that's not true. If you set Gmail's interface language to English (US), you should see the "Call phone" option in the chat roster. You can also buy credit using Google Checkout.

If you're not in the US and you want to add credit to your account, make sure that you DON'T CLICK the "Upgrade your account" button from Google Voice. This feature is only useful if you are in the US, since it lets you get a Google Voice number. Unfortunately, if you click on that button and you're not in the US, you'll no longer be able to buy credit.

Here's what you'll see after clicking on "Upgrade your account":

I don't think there's a way to downgrade your account, so the best thing to do is to avoid clicking that button. Google could easily solve this problem by hiding the button for non-US users or by allowing users to stop the upgrade.

Update. You can cancel the upgrade if you use a US proxy (try UltraSurf if you use Windows).

Update 2. A Google spokesperson said: "We're looking into this and will keep you updated."

46 comments:

Thanks as you confirmed what i did mention yesterday in a topic on my blog ( http://www.italib.net/2010/08/google-voice-gmail.html) as it works for me (outside US)& i think for the moment it's useful for who has a relatives,friends,, in US or Canada :)

US proxy helped me to sign in for voice, but then I can't go back to a non-proxy config. That's the bad thing here i guess. And as I have no US phone number I can't complete my registration nor cancel it. So I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere...

I have clicked the "Upgrade" button and I can no longer buy credit as I live in Canada. When clicking that button a confirmation box popped up stating it is only for the US. I wouldn't buy and credit as I don't know anyone who lives outside of Canada, besides come relatives who live in the US.

I think that now that Google has added this call button, Canadians will soon be getting the full version Google Voice (with a Google number).

I just tried to see if my relative in India can call me using google talk. If I login here, the "Call Phone" option appears, but when he logs in from India, it is not there. The interface language is set to "English (US)" (at least when I login).

It would be nice if Google would roll out Google Voice to Canada, but I won't be holding my breath, they've been saying for over a year now that "it will be coming soon". Just what does soon mean to Google? As for the Google spokesperson keeping you updated, yeah, they've said that before too.

I used the Tor Browser Bundle, connected to Tor, logged into Gmail, loaded Google Voice and got the option to cancel my upgrade! I realize I probably got lucky having Tor randomly assign me a US based node, but it was so quick and easy that it's worth a try.

visit http://abtevrythng.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-use-gmail-call-features-outside.html and know how users can use Gmail Call features from anywhere in the world (outside US) to call US and Canada for free

I used to listen to deaf father talk on phone whie I instant messaged him in text using Gmail chat. Install Google Phone but now instant texting no longer works since he is "offline" for some reason eventhough he can still email me.

further to above ... to be more specific... when in your gmail inbox - drop down the chat menu.. click the handset icon to run the softphone.. click the 10 cent credit - a small menu drops down - choose "add credit" - follow the bouncing ball

I just changed to English-US and magicaly the call button appeared, I imediatley called my own home based number using +44 UK ommiting of course the first area code digit IE: +44 ********** and it worked straight away, no hint of a charge, although there is some indication of a rate showing on the right of the call pad $0.08........anyhow the call went smoothly and i shall try it out on some more numbers later, so far so good, is there a limit to these free calls if I am calling inside UK to UK numbers I WONDER???

CHEERS! For the heads up Alex, just tried to ring my O2 mobile the phone rang but when I answered it call ended? But the first call I made was to my BT home line and that worked? So where do the charges come in? can you clarify?

Ahhhhh! OK! So that explains the first call, although I did keep it short, probably would have run out then? OK! So let me expand on that without doing anything else? Am I correct in assuming that I can ring to my cousin from here in the UK to her in Canada and? Do I ring her landline? or her mobile? You seem like the GURU here would appreciate another clarification CHEERS MATE!

Being one of the first beta testers of GrandCentral and Gizmo project I got a full upgrade to Google Voice from outside US. What is still missing is full SIP support and integration with Skype out of the box.